Garment-supporting device.



No. 668,409. v Patented Feb. l9, l90l.

siren drarns Parent rricn.

ISAAQB. KELLER, OF STEELTON, PENNSYLVANIA.

GARMENT-SUPPORTING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 668,409, dated February 19, 1901.

Application filed October 11, 1900. Serial No. 82,724. (No model.)

To all whom, it 717,117 concern:

Be it known that I, ISAAC B. KELLER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Steelton,

and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

The present invention has for its object to provide a garment-supporting device for attachment to the pantaloons and to which the usual suspenders or shoulder-braces may be connected, the device being of such shape and construction that the waistband of the pantaloons will be retained in shape at the point of suspension and ease and comfort given to the wearer.

The invention consists in a garment-supporting device constructed substantially as shown in the drawings and hereinafter described and claimed.

Figure 1 of the drawings is an elevation of a portion of the fabric of the pantaloons, showing the inner side thereof and the garment-supporting device connected thereto; Fig. 2, an edge view of the device looking down thereon; Fig. 3, an end view thereof; Fig. 4, a detail view of one of the depending straps, With the engaging hook. of a pair of suspenders or shoulder-braces.

In the accompanying drawings, A B represent the front ends of the ordinary suspenders or shoulder-braces, and b the depending straps, with the usual engaging hook c for connecting with the garment-supporting device.

I have shown and described a part only of the ordinary suspenders or shoulder-braces, as the same forms no part of the invention and as any means may be employed for extending over the shoulders of the wearer and adapted for engaging with the supporting device, as found most desirable.

The garment-supporting device, which is adapted for use in connection with the sus ponders or shoulder braces or straps, is constructed of spring-wire, substantially in the form shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings. The wire of the desired length is bent at or near its center to form an inverted-U-shaped loop 0 for the hook c of the suspenders or shoulder braces or straps to engage and is of sufficient width to give room for the hook to slide laterally thereon from one side to the other, so as to adapt itself to the mot-ion of the body. The wire forming the loop, at the base thereof, is extended slightly outward in a horizontal direction to provide means for securely attaching it to the pantaloons by stitching, as shown at a in Fig. 1 of the drawings. From the point of attachment, as above described, the wire extends in an upward direction to form a rigid frame D, the wire of said frame being preferably extended outwardly at an obtuse angle, as shown at e, to give to the frame increased strength at its juncture with the laterally-extending braces E F, although this is not absolutely necessary. 'lhebraces E F are formed by extending the wire laterally and in an outward direction from each side of the frame D, the braces terminating in independent arms f, which form the top portion of the braces. These laterally-extending braces E F support and retain in shape thewaistband of the pantaloons, and the point thereon where the strain comes from connection with the suspenders or shoulder braces or straps is also retained in. shape. The armsf of the braces terminate in loops or eyes d, or any preferred and wellknown means may be employed at the extremity or free ends of the arms to limit the movement thereof, so as to prevent them from slipping out of their fastenings after being sewed to the fabric, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, said loops or eyes also forming stops for the arms to prevent the arms from overlapping each other when the same yield in either direction to adapt the device to the motion of the body of the wearer. The armsf being free to yield independent of each other by virtue of the wire forming the upper portion of the braces being in sections to form said arms, the braces are enabled to conform to the body above the hips and adapt themselves to the motion of the body in s'tooping or leaning sidewise, thereby giving ease and comfort to the wearer.

In a device of the within-described character when constructed of wire it is necessary for the successful operation of the device to adapt itself to the motion of the body to fabric by stitching, the wire from said point extending upward to form a frame and thence outwardly to form lateral and independentlyyielding braces having inwardly-extending arms terminating in enlarged ends, substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony that I claim the above I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presence of two witnesses.

v ISAAC B. KELLER. Witnesses: v

S. O. PETERS, FRANK NISLEY. 

